Month: June 2017

Your smile can be one of your most splendid features. After all, your pearly whites help you express your joy, laugh at particularly hilarious jokes, and pose for beautiful photos. Most people would love to have a more gorgeous grin. Usually, when you think of improving your smile, you might consider your tooth color or crookedness. These are important components, certainly, but there is one facet of this feature that often goes overlooked: tooth shape. The curvature of your teeth creates the structure of your smile and can have a significant impact on your appearance. Dr. Craig Armstrong and the rest of our Houston dental team are available to assist you with virtually any aspect of your smile’s appearance, which is why we offer teeth reshaping. In the following blog, we explain the basics of this treatment, including how and why we use it to give our patients even more winsome grins.

What is Teeth Reshaping?

This procedure involves exactly what you might imagine. Everyday Health explains: “tooth reshaping, also called dental contouring, is a cosmetic dentistry technique that removes small amounts of tooth enamel (the outer covering of the tooth) in order to change the shape, length, or surface of one or more teeth.” By gently sculpting your teeth, Dr. Armstrong and our team can make subtle changes with stunning results. As Everyday Health notes, “ ‘even a few millimeters of reduction in the right places can really improve the appearance of teeth.’”

Why Do We Use It?

We typically recommend teeth reshaping for patients who have cosmetic concerns such as:

• Small indents or chips in the enamel
• Minor crowding
• Overly large teeth
• Particularly long teeth
• Asymmetrical teeth
• Excess thickness

Dr. Armstrong and our team are delighted to offer teeth reshaping as a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure to instantly enhance our patients’ smiles.

Who is a Candidate?

Are you interested in teeth reshaping? Would you like to reduce or eliminate imperfections in your smile? You may be eligible for this treatment if you:

• Have healthy teeth, free from cavities or infections. Dr. Armstrong will most likely take advanced digital X-rays before planning your procedure to ensure that this is the case. Of course, if you do suffer from either of these conditions, we can also provide restorative treatments such as dental fillings.
• Do not suffer from gum disease. These types of infections could also interfere with teeth reshaping. Once again, we can assist you in treating these if necessary.
• Have sufficiently thick enamel. This is especially important since teeth reshaping involves removing small portions of the enamel.

Many of our patients are excellent candidates for this procedure. Dr. Armstrong can go over more qualifications for teeth reshaping at your initial consultation, during which he will examine your teeth, go over your records, discuss the treatment in more detail, and create a customized treatment plan for you.

How is Teeth Reshaping Performed?

Once Dr. Armstrong has designed your personalized treatment plan and digital X-rays, we will begin your procedure, which often takes just one appointment. As the National Centre for Aesthetic Facial and Oral Surgery explains, “the cosmetic dentist,” in this case Dr. Armstrong, “will mark your teeth with a pencil prior to performing the procedure.” This will ensure that you fully understand and agree with the sculpting plan, as well as guiding Dr. Armstrong’s steady hand during treatment. Next, Dr. Armstrong will use gentle but advanced tools to contour your teeth. Once we’ve modified your teeth according to your preferences, we will polish them for a beautiful shine. As the National Centre for Aesthetic Facial and Oral Surgery notes, “usually anesthetic is not needed,” given how minimally invasive this procedure is.

Teeth reshaping also complements other cosmetic treatments quite well. For example, we often suggest pairing it with porcelain veneers, which can help give your mouth a more ideal shape, as well as rapidly whitening and straightening your teeth. Teeth whitening may also be an excellent choice to brighten your newly reshaped smile.

Contact Our Houston Dental Practice Today

Are you ready to reshape your teeth? Would you like to learn more about this or our other cosmetic treatments? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Armstrong!

Original Source: https://www.craigarmstrongdds.com/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-reshaping-how-why/

Let’s face it: most of us would prefer to have whiter, brighter smiles. Having yellow, gray, or otherwise discolored teeth can put a damper on your day and make you embarrassed of your grin. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to enjoy a full set of pearly whites. At our Houston dental practice, Dr. Craig Armstrong and our dedicated team are here to assist you with every aspect of your smile, including its appearance.

When it comes to the look of your smile, there may be factors you don’t have much control over, but there is one element you can absolutely take charge of, and that’s your diet. The American Dental Association explains that “food and drink” are one of the top reasons why “teeth change color,” since “intense color pigments called chromogens [can]…attach to the white, outer part of your tooth.” In the following blog, we’ll go over ten common foods that stain your teeth so you can avoid them for a dazzling smile.

1. Tea

Sipping a hot tea or enjoying an iced chai is wonderful, but these beverages can also wreak havoc on your tooth color. WebMD calls tea the “worst culprit” for staining: “not only is it full of acid, it also has tannins…plant-based compounds that make it easier for stains to stick to teeth.” Next time you snuggle up with a cup of tea, consider switching it out for another drink. If you do drink tea, make sure to rinse your mouth out with plenty of water and brush your teeth soon after.

2. Tomatoes

They’re great in both salads and sauces, but tomatoes can definitely discolor your previously pearly whites. With their strong red hue and enamel-eroding acidity, it’s best to avoid these if you can.

3. Citrus

Limes, lemons, and oranges might be surprising causes for staining, since they’re not particularly dark foods. However, as Greatist explains: “if you notice a yellowish tinge to your teeth, acidic foods…might be to blame. Even though they’re nutrient-packed, these colorful eats can erode the enamel, which might expose the yellow-hued dentin—a.k.a. the tissue beneath the enamel.” If you’re snacking on orange slices daily or frequently drinking lemon water, cutting down on these habits could work wonders for your teeth.

4. Berries

Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries are some of the clearest culprits for external teeth staining. While delicious and otherwise healthy, these fruits pack a colorful punch. Their beautiful hues look great in a bowl, but aren’t quite as attractive when wedged in-between your teeth. In particular, you should avoid berry juices and jams, since these tend to be denser and are often sweetened with sugar, which can cause additional enamel problems.

5. Coffee

While coffee is actually not as harmful as tea, since it doesn’t have tannins, it can also stain your teeth. WebMD notes: “you can tell from [coffee’s] color that it’s high in chromogens, and it’s very acidic. Together, these factors help turn white teeth yellow over time.” If you’re downing a daily cup of coffee, be sure to follow it with a quick water rinse and/or brushing your teeth, similar to tea, to avoid staining.

6. Wine

You probably could have guessed that red wines would stain your teeth, but in fact, white wines can also lead to discoloration. Like tea, red wine is packed with tannins, so it is among the worst options for your teeth, but “as it turns out, sipping sauvignon blanc can also steal some of the white away from your smile,” according to Greatist. While white wine doesn’t directly stain your teeth, it “may make tooth stains darker…its acid content creates little pockets on the surface of the tooth that allow other beverages to seep in deeper.” So, drink your wine in moderation, and don’t think you’re safe from staining just because you prefer white wines.

7. Soda

Sodas like Coke and Dr. Pepper can be refreshing treats, but they may also linger on your teeth. Everyday Health explains: “Sodas, including diet, are especially harmful to teeth because of their staining color.” Most colas are also acidic, making your teeth more vulnerable. Everyday Health advises: “if you can’t give up your soda habit, at least sip it through a straw to limit the beverage’s contact with your teeth.”

8. Curry

Curries can be tasty, savory meals, but their rich color can also transfer to your smile. If you’re a regular curry-eater and you notice your teeth turning yellow, the spices in your favorite dish could be to blame. Try to eat curry dishes sparingly and, when you do, make sure to drink plenty of water with them.

9. Popsicles

With summer just around the corner, popsicles are bound to be a popular refreshment. These icy cold sweet treats are scrumptious, but they’re also some of the worst possible foods to eat if you want to keep your smile white. Everyday Health points out: “if a food stains your lips and tongue, it’s staining your teeth, too,” and we’re all familiar with the purple lips and blue tongues that result from the artificial dyes in our favorite pops. Everyday Health suggests that, if you need a summertime snack, “choose a lemon ice instead.”

10. Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is great for salad dressings and sauces, but enjoying its distinctive flavor and dark color could damage your teeth. Like wine, balsamic is filled with tannins, so it should be used in moderation.

How We Can Help

At your six-month cleaning and prevention appointments, Dr. Armstrong and our team can go over your specific cosmetic concerns and make more suggestions for how you can preserve your teeth. If you’re ready to be rid of those pesky stains and enjoy a brighter look, we also offer professional teeth-whitening treatments. We offer both in-office and at-home options to suit your needs and preferences.

Are You Ready for a Whiter Smile?

We’d be delighted to help you! Contact our Houston dental practice today to learn more and schedule your appointment with Dr. Armstrong.

Original Source: https://www.craigarmstrongdds.com/cosmetic-dentistry/10-common-foods-that-stain-your-teeth/